Alcoholic Personality Changes: 10 Signs to Look Out For

Factors That Influence Personality

Personality refers to an individual set of thoughts, emotions, and behavioral responses. Personality traits dictate nearly everything we are and everything we do, from our jobs to our relationships to our predisposition to mental health problems. Research shows that most of our personality is dedicated to a combination of genetics and environment. ¹

Several assessments, including the enneagram, Big Five assessment, Myers-Briggs personality test, and the Dominance, Influence, Steadiness and Conscientiousness (DISC) assessment tease out various personality traits. It’s important to note that these results can be vague and objectively difficult to measure. Furthermore, research shows that personality can change over a lifespan. The longest study on personality found that changes in life circumstances and cognitive abilities may impact our thoughts and emotion.²

Factors that can influence an individual’s personality include:

• Biological: Genetics and heredity play a key role in shaping personality development. Scientists have used twin studies to distinguish how biology impacts traits.³
• Social: Cultural, familial, and peer influence can all play a role in personality formation.
• Neurological: Certain neurological conditions like strokes, dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, and Parkison’s disease can impact personality and behavioral responses.
• Intellectual: Intellectual factors like values, morality, and personal ethics correlate with personality.

The big five personality traits are:

• Extraversion: Extraversion refers to assertiveness, sociability, and the desire to engage in social interactions. The opposite of this is being more reserved, introverted, or solitary.
• Agreeableness: Agreeableness refers to themes of altruism, trust, kindness, affection, and other interpersonal forms of connection. The opposite of this is being more rational, critical, or self-preserving.
• Conscientiousness: Conscientiousness refers to intention, impulse control, and goal-setting behaviors. The opposite of this is themes of carelessness, difficulties with delayed gratification, and extravagance.
• Neuroticism: Neuroticism refers to emotional dysregulation, anxiety, mood swings, and themes of control and perfectionism. The opposite of this is resilient, accepting, and level-headed.
• Openness: Openness refers to curiosity, willingness to engage in new activities, and the desire to think loosely or abstractly. The opposite of this is being drawn to routine, liking predictability, and themes of being precautious.

Alcohol’s Effects on The Brain

Alcohol impacts the brain in many ways. Alcohol is linked to several neurotransmitter systems, including serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine. When you drink alcohol, the body responds by producing additional dopamine. This neurotransmitter is associated with pleasure, and the brain is highly motivated to continue engaging in any behavior that feels pleasurable.⁴

Over time, continuing to drink can lead to tolerance. When someone is tolerant of a substance, the brain requires more of it to achieve the desired pleasurable effect. The brain begins depending on alcohol to feel a sense of normalcy, and this represents the starting point of alcoholism.

Alcohol disrupts the brain’s communication within itself and with the rest of the body. Being impaired impacts basic functions, such as balance, coordination, memory, and judgment. This can lead to poor decision-making and immediate injuries. In some cases, when a person drinks too much, they will experience a blackout, where the brain blocks transferring short-term memories to long-term storage. Finally, an overdose can occur when the brain shuts down and stops controlling basic life functions.⁵

The negative cognitive side effects of alcohol use include:

• Self-destructive behavior
• Impulsivity
• Poor judgment
• Aggression
• Impaired or blurred vision
• Slower reaction times
• Coordination problems

Alcohol Abuse & Mental Illness

Alcohol use disorder is comorbid with numerous mental health conditions. Prolonged alcohol use may cause or aggravate these conditions. Brain function changes likely contribute to issues like alcohol-induced anxiety, depression, antisocial behavior, and brief psychotic disorders. Many people use alcohol to self-medicate unwanted mental health symptoms. While alcohol may provide immediate relief, these effects are temporary. Many people find that their mental health worsens the more they drink.

The Connection Between Alcohol & Personality Changes

Chronic alcohol consumption often impacts every part of an individual’s functioning. People tend to become more withdrawn, irritable, and isolated when they drink. They might become so preoccupied with drinking (or recovering from drinking) that they neglect relationships, work, and other essential life responsibilities. Alcohol use is also associated with numerous health consequences, ranging from cardiac issues to liver failure, all of which can affect someone’s mood and personality.

Heavy alcohol use can lead to changes in personality, such as:

• Changes in impulse control: Alcohol lowers inhibitions, leading to poor impulse control. Over time, repeated impulse control issues may lead to habitual poor decision-making.
• Changes in motivation: Alcohol use can lead to a lack of motivation, keeping a person from pursuing their goals and causing changes in how they structure their time.
• Changes in relationship dynamics: Alcohol may coincide with more arguing, tension, and conflict in relationships.
• Changes in self-esteem: Alcohol can negatively affect self-esteem; low self-esteem may fuel more drinking.
• Changes in values: Alcohol often affects someone’s ability to live congruently with their values.

10 Signs of Alcoholic Personality Changes

Personality changes can be subtle or severe, depending on the frequency and intensity of someone’s alcohol consumption. People who exhibit high-functioning alcoholism tendencies may show fewer behavioral changes. However, change isn’t just about external differences. Even if someone presents well, that doesn’t mean they aren’t internally suffering or experiencing the negative impacts of drinking.

Here are ten signs of alcoholic personality changes:

1. Other behavioral compulsions (disordered eating, compulsive shopping, gambling addiction)
2. Chronic lying
3. Difficulties with emotional regulation
4. Self-destructive behavior
5. Abuse and neglect
6. High levels of stress
7. Self-harm or suicidal thoughts
8. Lack of motivation
9. Anhedonia (inability to feel pleasure)
10. Defensiveness and hostility

Can Alcohol Personality Changes Be Undone?

Neuroplasticity refers to how the brain adapts and changes in response to new experiences. Research shows that neuroplasticity plays a key role in the dopamine reward system (which is highly correlated with building a dependence on alcohol). That said, neuroplasticity is what also allows people to recover and learn new coping strategies.

The brain is highly resilient, and evidence-based treatments can help people learn to modify how they react to their normal triggers. In many cases, with the right interventions (therapy, medication, and daily lifestyle habits), the brain can improve and even reverse alcohol’s personality changes.⁶

When to Seek Professional Help

Without intervention, alcohol use disorder often worsens progressively over time. Effective treatment tends to be multifaceted, and it may include a combination of individual psychotherapy, group therapy, and family therapy. In more moderate or severe cases, people may benefit from inpatient treatment. Alcohol rehab programs provide acute care within highly-structured settings.

A person doesn’t need to meet any defined criterion to necessitate seeking treatment. In fact, most mental health professionals insist that preventative or early care is best. In other words, if you think you might have a problem- or you’re concerned about your relationship with alcohol- consider getting support right away.

Look for a therapist who specializes in addiction treatment. Keep in mind that change can be slow, and relapse is a common part of the recovery process. Working with a trusted professional will help you feel safe and supported during this vulnerable time. You can find an addiction therapist through an online therapy platform. Furthermore, many people benefit from addiction-based support groups like Alcoholics Anonymous, Self Management and Recovery Training (SMART) Recovery, or therapist-led psychoeducation groups. You can look for groups in your local area or search online to review your available options.

Final Thoughts

Alcohol can fundamentally change brain chemistry and affect one’s personality. Fortunately, research on neuroplasticity shows that most of these changes can be reversed. Cutting down or stopping drinking can feel incredibly overwhelming. If you want to change your relationship with alcohol, consider seeking professional support. Recovery is possible, and getting the help you need can help you make the changes you desire.